Page 42 of Home for Nathan
Rachel came in a rush, squalling and complaining and letting everyone know that she was unhappy about showing up.
Nathan chuckled softly. “Well, she knows what she wants.”
“She’s got healthy lungs.”
They both laughed, and then the laughter stopped when Devon put this tiny, red-faced, perfect baby into Nathan’s arms.
Never in this life had Zion seen anything quite so beautiful.
He reached out, but he was afraid to touch her. What if he hurt her. What if he gave her weird germs?
Nathan sobbed, grinning at the same time. “Isn’t she amazing?”
“She’s wonderful. Wondrous. Whatever the word needs to be.” He was…awed. This was his daughter. Their daughter. She had a wild shock of dark hair, and he smoothed a finger over it. From what he’d read, she would lose that, and her regular hair would grow in. He hoped it was still dark like Nathan’s.
“She is.” Nathan sighed, relaxing. “Can you feed her? I’m so tired I’m afraid I’ll drop her if I try.”
“Of course, baby. You need to rest.” He would happily do all the work from now on. Nathan had done enough just bringing Rachel into the world.
“Come on, Zion. I can show you where to sit while we make Nathan comfy. He can stay right here for as long as he needs to. I would say at least until tonight, if not tomorrow morning. He put in the time.” Devon gave him that warm smile, and he was grateful.
“I need to show her to all the folks.”
“We’ll bring them in a few at a time.”
“His mom and dad first.”
“Of course.” Devon led him to a nice little chair, and he sat, holding his new daughter, so grateful that Nathan had come into his life when he had. Or vice versa.
He was a husband and a dad now when before he came to Secret Springs, he’d been neither. Kaleb had been right. This place was magic.
He wouldn’t have it any other way.
Epilogue
Nathan was putting the last few rows of yarn into a rug when he heard Zion pull up out in the yard.
He loved his little yurt workshop. It was cozy, snug as a bug in the winter, with its little gas log, and cool in the summer thanks to the evap air unit. He had looms, tools, and airtight storage for his working yarn and fiber. The rest of it had its own room in the house that was easier to keep the moths and such out of.
Zion had run into town to pick up a few things for their anniversary supper, and he grinned, anticipating how amazing it would be.
His folks were watching Rachel until tomorrow, and while he missed her like a sore tooth already after only a few hours, he was thrilled to have just adult time tonight.
“Hey, babe! I’m back! I’ll start supper,” Zion called.
“Okay! Almost done!” He could cast off the loom tomorrow before Rachel’s birthday party, which was going to be a much bigger deal than their anniversary. At least to their families.
His folks were living in a tiny town nearby now called Hot Springs Junction. Zion’s family had come down forThanksgiving and were staying until after the birthday party. They were in town at the Grand Springs hotel tonight as a treat.
All in all, life was amazing.
And he had some news for his husband.
He wove in the last row, glancing at Torah, who had stayed with him even though her human had come home. “You’re a good girl, you know that? Come on, you.” He headed for the house, and the door to the kitchen opened as he got there.
Zion had not opened it. Their ghost was at play again, her rose perfume on the air.
“Thanks, hon. Now shoo. This is a private evening.”
